U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin helped thwart a bid Thursday to require the construction of three extra Virginia-class subs by reducing funding for other military hardware, including $250 million earmarked for Bath Iron Works’ destroyer program. A bipartisan vote of 267-144 shot down the amendment sought by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., and […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
As Supreme Court fight looms, Susan Collins hopes to avoid politics
As President Donald Trump prepares to pick someone to replace retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, many are eyeing Maine’s senior senator as one of the few Republicans who might stand in the way of a right-wing successor to a judge who often provided the swing vote on the nine-person court. They are likely […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mark Dion seeks AG office, which he says should be an elected position
AUGUSTA — After falling short in his gubernatorial run, Democratic state Sen. Mark Dion of Portland said Thursday he hopes to be chosen as Maine’s next attorney general. Dion, a Lewiston native, said that competing in the Democratic primary made him realize he would like to serve as the state’s top legal officer where he […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature maps the landscape for legal marijuana growers, sellers
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate and House voted Tuesday night to pass a sweeping medical marijuana reform bill that overhauls the caregiver system. The bill, which goes to Gov.Paul LePage, would let caregivers expand their business operations. For example, they could hire more than one worker, and sell up to 30 percent of their harvest […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature votes to eliminate proficiency-based learning requirements
AUGUSTA — Six years after Maine became one of the first states to adopt new high school graduation standards, lawmakers are poised to roll back those requirements by allowing towns to decide whether to issue proficiency-based diplomas. The House and the Senate voted Tuesday night to eliminate the state mandate that students demonstrate proficiency in […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Poliquin supports immigration bill that fails to pass in House
An immigration bill that sought to bridge the divide separating Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives failed by a wide margin Wednesday. The compromise measure that President Donald Trump urged the House to pass secured the support of only half of GOP lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a two-term incumbent from Maine’s […]
Posted inNation / World
Supreme Court Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump to pick another justice
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement Wednesday, giving President Donald Trump the chance to cement conservative control of the high court. The 81-year-old Kennedy said in a statement he is stepping down after more than 30 years on the court. A Republican appointee, he has held the key vote on […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Judge again orders Trump’s voting commission to give documents to Maine’s secretary of state
A federal judge has for the second time ordered the Trump administration to turn over documents to Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap related to his participation on a presidential commission on voting integrity. The order, issued Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., rejects the commission’s contention that Dunlap is […]
Posted inNation / World
Supreme Court rules against public unions collecting fees from nonmembers
WASHINGTON — Conservatives on the Supreme Court said Wednesday it was unconstitutional to allow public employee unions to require collective bargaining fees from workers who choose not to join the union, a major blow for the U.S. labor movement. The court in a 5-to-4 decision overturned a 40-year-old precedent and said compelling such fees was […]
Posted inNation / World
John Bolton meets with Putin to plan summit with Donald Trump
MOSCOW — National security adviser John Bolton met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in a prelude to a long-anticipated summit with President Donald Trump that is looking increasingly likely. Putin warmly greeted Bolton in a grand oval meeting hall at the Kremlin, flanked by statues of Russian czars set before lime-painted walls. Putin […]